Watching Caitlin Snow fall quiet and trembling, Jack Kadere walked over and crouched in front of her, smiling. "That's right. Calm down. Don't shout and scream like a heroine in some melodramatic TV show—it'll ruin my image of you. Though I admit I'm more interested in another you."
Caitlin stared at him, confused. Another me? What does that mean?
"I don't intend to hurt you. Half an hour from now, once Cisco Ramon finishes making what I need, you can leave. Until then, I hope you'll behave. Can you do that?"
Caitlin nodded.
"Good girl." Jack patted her head with satisfaction and asked casually, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Caitlin shook her head.
"You don't? Good. You're more suited to being single," he chuckled.
Caitlin bristled. What's that supposed to mean?
"Why?" she demanded.
Why? Because of your 'husband-killing' ability, of course.
First there was Ronnie Raymond—fellow S.T.A.R. Labs member and her fiancé. After the particle accelerator explosion, he merged with Martin Stein to become Firestorm and ultimately died saving Central City. Then came Hunter Zolomon, Zoom from Earth-Two. He ruled that world and beat Barry Allen black and blue—and he died too. The last one, Julian Dorn the Alchemist, at least survived. He just ran away.
Caitlin Snow was destined to live alone forever.
Jack patted her shoulder, his expression grave and earnest, radiating the spirit of noble self-sacrifice. "Remember—never get a boyfriend. If you really need one, come find me. As the Buddha said: if I don't go to hell, who will? I have a tough life. You can't kill me."
What do you mean, if I need one I can find you?
What do you mean, if you don't go to hell, who will?
What do you mean, you have a tough life and I can't kill you?
If I could beat you, I'd fight you right now!
Caitlin turned her head away, refusing to look at him—the picture of someone too angry to speak.
Yet despite her irritation, the fear had faded. He spoke annoyingly, but he genuinely didn't seem intent on harming her. With the fear gone, curiosity surfaced. She wasn't as obsessed with superpowers as Cisco, but as a bioengineer, she found herself intensely curious about how Jack generated electricity. If possible, she wanted to run a full examination and gather data.
"What's your name?" she asked tentatively.
"Jack Kadere."
"You're Asian, right? Were you born with superpowers, or did something trigger them later? Have you ever had a physical examination?"
Jack smiled. "What? You want to examine me?"
Caitlin nodded, then shook her head. "There aren't any confirmed cases to compare, but your situation should involve genetic alteration. If I had access to S.T.A.R. Labs' equipment, I could give you a thorough examination—maybe figure out why you gained superpowers and what your upper limits are."
She sighed with regret. Under these circumstances, she had no chance to examine him.
"If you can keep a secret, I might come find you later and let you examine me in private. How's that sound?" Jack's expression shifted. "But let me be clear—if you can't keep quiet, I'll have to kill you."
Caitlin's eyes lit up. "Really? When?"
"Depends on my mood."
"Then it's a deal. I won't tell anyone the results. I just want to understand why." Afraid he'd change his mind, she rattled off her phone number. "Call me in advance so I can make arrangements."
"Okay."
Jack noted the number and nodded.
"Why do you need a sonic device?" Caitlin asked suddenly. He has superpowers—he shouldn't need equipment like that.
"You'll find out later."
Time slipped by as they talked. Jack didn't carry her or bind her; they simply walked downstairs together and returned to S.T.A.R. Labs.
At the entrance, the security guard Jack had knocked out with electricity earlier had already been taken inside for treatment. Cisco Ramon stood waiting with a box in his hands, Harrison Wells beside him.
When they saw Jack and Caitlin approaching side by side, chatting casually, both men froze.
What's going on? Wasn't Caitlin kidnapped? How are they walking back like old friends?
"Caitlin, are you okay?" Cisco asked, worried.
Caitlin glanced at Jack and shook her head. "I'm fine. He didn't do anything to me."
"That's good."
Cisco exhaled in relief and handed over the box. "This is what you wanted."
Jack took it and opened the lid. Inside lay a circular device the size of a watch face, mounted on a two-finger-wide black metal band. Cisco dutifully began explaining its operation.
"You activate it by touching it with your finger. Touch it again to adjust the sound wave intensity…"